Edit: It's not DC Offset but something else is going on with the signal from the amp... so not "solved" but not offset.
 
So after much exploring, dinking around and general procrastinating I just recorded my first track into Sonar platinum. The wave is looking mighty funky and I think this is referred to as DC Offset. I have never encountered it before... ever.
 
Essentially the top half of my mono wave looks like it has been compressed/limited very agressively while the bottom half looks more dynamic and normal but extends down way further than the top. Essentially it looks really unbalanced.
 
It sounds fine... awesome in fact but this is not normal so I'm wondering if maybe there has been some change in Platinum that might draw the waves differently (doubt it) or what I should be looking at/concerned about.
 
I know this seems to be a symptom of "DC Offset" but because I have never encountered it and I'm not sure what to do about it (or if I should do anythign about since it sounds fine). I know there is a setting somewhere that corrects this type of thing but it is weird this has happened and I'd like to figure out what could be causing it.
 
 
Details:
 
The signal is a cleanish guitar output from the XLR line out from my old Traynor amp going into my Mackie CR1601 then being routed via the mixer's direct out for that channel into my Scarlett Focusrite 18i6 via one of the 1/4" line inputs on the back. In Sonar the input is set to a mono input (Right Focusrite Line 3 which is the mono input on the device). Aside from the amp and mixer there are no other input effects but there is an instance of TH2 on the track but that should not affect the wave.
 
Just looking for ideas as to what could be causing this and I guess quickly get some directions/instruction as to where the DC Offset thingie may be and the appropriate way to apply it (I do not want to screw up my general settings).
 
I have used this set up before and never encountered this. It is very strange.
 
Thanks.

If it is DC Offset see http://www.cakewalk.com/D...=EditingAudio.22.html#

Thanks.
 
Now this is something even stranger... I just did another test to and watched as it was recording. The incoming wave looked totally normal while recording (it was balanced, no squishyness at the top). It was only when I stopped recording and Sonar redrew the wave (or whatever it does) that it went out of whack.
 
Very strange.

Before destructively changing anything Beep,
I would suggest deleting your picture cache...
If you say it sounds fine it might just be a
graphics issue.
 
Mel 

As an FYI, DC offset is a hardware Issue and to my knowledge is not produced by DAW. The fact that it started now is likely a coincidence. If it is DC offset, the link scook provided should help. 

Could you try going from the XLR straight into the Focusrite?
 
Eliminate the desk.
 
If it's the same, try a DI, eliminate the amp.
 
Just tossing out random thoughts here Beep. I haven't seen DC offset for a very long time.

scook
If it is DC Offset see http://www.cakewalk.com/D...=EditingAudio.22.html#

From the link...
 
"An easy way to spot DC offset is to zoom in to a silent section of your sound file. If the silent waveform matches the centerline in the waveform display, your file does not contain DC offset."
 
In the silence at the start before I started playing it is indeed on the center line so I guess this is not DC Offset.
 
Now I am even more confused. I guess if it sounds good I shouldn't freak out but this is quite bizarre.

@OldTimer, Dub and Jonesey....
 
Thanks, I will try some stuff. Since I don't really understand exactly how waves work what exactly does the top part of the wave represent? I thought the cycles produced on either side of the zero line were... well just the amplitude or whatever. Could the amp/mixer be yanking something out like for example a frequency?
 
As I said the wave looks normal until I stop recording which is why I though maybe it's a graphical issue rather than an input issue.
 
Off to find the redraw function (been a looong time since I've looked at that thing).
 
Thanks again.

Redraw didn't change anything but just in case anyone stumbles on this searching for that function...
 
To redraw waveforms

1.Select the clips that you want to redraw.

2. Right-click a selected clip, and choose Associated Audio Files on the pop-up menu to open the Associated Audio Files dialog box.

3.Click the Recompute Picture(s) button. A dialog box appears, asking if you want to recompute the pictures on the selected clips.

4.Click OK.
 
From here....
 
https://www.cakewalk.com/Documentation?product=SONAR%20X3&language=3&help=AudioPerformance.24.html
 
Off to try going from the amp into the interface.

Asymmetrical distortion is not at all rare with guitar amps, even solid-state ones but particularly with tubes. If the output stage is push-pull, then one of the tube pair could be "soft." 
 
For DC offset to be present, the waveform's centerline needs to be off zero. Asymmetrical clipping could be the result of severe DC offset, or it could be due to any one of a number of different causes. I recommend this article if you want to know about DC offset, why it matters, and what can make it appear.